A Record of Enquiries into the Spirits

Xu XuanJul 2024

3.8

Word count: 56K words
Chapters: 10

Summary

Zhu Zheng, a registrar of Yushan under the puppet Wu regime, went to Yangdu (rendered "zhou" in the Guangji) to await official selection. He dreamed he entered a government office, where in the hall sat a man in purple, with a man in green beside him. The man in purple rose and bowed to Zheng (the Guangji omits "Zheng"), saying, "You ought to give me ten thousand cash." Zheng bowed and consented, then awoke.

Editor's review

Jishen Lu is a collection of strange tales by Xu Xuan of the Song dynasty. It mostly records ghosts and spirits, anomalies, and karmic retribution; the pieces are short and the narration clean, often forming a complete story in just a few lines. This edition preserves the original form of the book, allowing readers to encounter the raw shape of ancient notebook fiction directly. Its value lies not in intricate plots but in showing how early Song literati recorded and interpreted supernatural rumors, offering a glimpse of the beliefs and narrative tastes of the time. It suits readers seeking a light introduction to the zhiguai tradition and a comparison of Tang and Song notebook styles. While reading, pay attention to the role of the "witness" in each story and to the narrative voice, and appreciate the unique tension of the notebook form, poised between record and fiction.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in ancient zhiguai notebooks and folk beliefs
Literature lovers who want to understand early Song narrative style and the notebook form
Students who need short classical Chinese texts for extensive reading practice
General readers who enjoy fragmented reading and picking a book up and putting it down at will

Not a good fit for

Novel readers seeking long, complete plots and character development
Scholars hoping for systematic research on religious history or folklore
Readers who reject ghost and spirit themes entirely and prefer realistic reading

Reading tips

Read three to five pieces at a time; do not rush, and note how each story is ended.
Keep a pen and mark recurring images or patterns of retribution, then summarize after finishing.
Read alongside comparable notebooks such as Soushen Ji, comparing narrative detail and attitude.
When you meet rare words, guess first and check later, so that annotations do not interrupt your reading rhythm.

版权信息
卷一
卷二
卷三
卷四
卷五
卷六
拾遗
补遗
再补

FAQ

Is Jishen Lu fiction or historical source material?

It is traditionally classed as a zhiguai notebook, combining records of rumor with literary narration. It is not a strict history, but it reflects how early Song literati regarded and recorded anomalous events.

The stories are all very short. Will reading them feel disjointed?

It is indeed rather fragmented and suits casual reading. If you want a sense of the whole, read by theme—retribution, dream omens, ghosts and monsters—and sort out the common patterns for yourself.

How much classical Chinese do I need to read it?

The original texts are mostly short classical Chinese pieces with uncomplicated syntax; basic reading ability in classical Chinese is enough. Beginners can use an annotated edition and focus on key words and narrative turns.

Related on WeRead

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Xu Xuan Author · Chinese

Xu Xuan, courtesy name Dingchen, was a native of Guangling (present-day Yangzhou, Jiangsu) and a literary figure, philologist, and calligrapher of the late Five Dynasties to early Song period. He first served the Southern Tang, rising to Minister of Personnel, and later followed Li Yu in submitting to the Song, where he became Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and was known as "Xu Qisheng." He and his younger brother Xu Kai were called the "Two Xu," and he was also famed alongside Han Xizai as "Han and Xu." Skilled in small seal script, he was commissioned to collate the Shuowen Jiezi; his edition is known as the "Greater Xu Edition" and profoundly influenced later Chinese philology. His works include the Qisheng Collection and the Jishen Lu. Eleven of his works are held here, spanning classical poetry, supernatural tales, and philosophical texts, reflecting diverse themes and the narrative tastes of his era.